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--"'''''"'3 UU.!J~ ~l1~vlc~\ t';:;\/ tl '? OFFICEc<?t i1~filMfhYili\Yrhl1l~tCJ~%ed to protect the native fishery in the La Plata River Departme~If~~~fI.,ong Hollow during the winter base flow months. 1313 Sherman Street, Room 718 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phorw: (3~M~s-~en suggested that the current stream channel geometry is not indicative of ;~~;3~~)~1r,~f~ist ifthe Long Hollow Reservoir project proceeds. Th~J?roposed miti atio includes some channel restoration which ma si . ficantl chan e the stream chann pro lIe and geometry. The R2CROSS technique is highly dependent on stream cha geometry, partIcularly the bank full top width of the channel. Additional stream cro~~v~~~~s section information might need to be collected in areas where the stream channel Russell George dimensions approximate those being contemplated in the mitigation proposal. Executive Director /' III. Mitigation concerns/recommendations/opportunities. I Need for a reservoir operations plan and water management plan for the La Plata River Basin: The BA does not provide a reservoir operation plan that describes the proposed storage or flow release schedule and how this could affect native fishes in the La Plata River. A reservoir operations plan and projected water release schedule would strengthen the BA significantly. A.'?P Reach 2 - Additional information needed to adequately determine impacts (if any) from the proposed project: Native fishes in the La Plata River between Long Hollow and Cherry Creek are largely dependent on irrigation return flows. It is difficult to determine from the BA if this project will be leadin to additional irri ation depletions in the La Plata River basin above Long Hollow (including the Cherry reek basin). If the construction and operation of the reservoir makes additional irrigation depletIOns in the Cherry Creek basin possible, then the Long Hollow Reservoir project could adversely affect the fishery in the La Plata River from Long Hollow to Cherry Creek. This aspect of the project needs to be adequately evaluated, described, and analyzed for environmental impacts. If flows in this reach are d~p'!et~d ~s a re~g1t of this ro'ect then additional miti ation will need to be addressed. Ifhistoric stream flow onditions in this reach are not altered as a resu t 0 this project, then we believe that the native fish will be adequately protected by maintaining historic hydrology. The BA needs to be more clear in this area. La Plata basin water management plan - opportunities for better water management and the protection of native fish populations: With Long Hollow Reservoir, there may be opportunities to fine-tune the administration of water rights on the La Plata River to accommodate some new irrigation, protect native fishes, and meet La Plata River Compact requirements. A comprehensive water management agreement could be developed that describes how water rights would be administered in the future to meet La Plata Compact requirements, irrigation needs, and native fish needs. Minor changes to water rights administration on the La Plata River could provide mutual benefits to irrigators and native fishes. For example, fall stock water delivery could be modified to provide additional water for native fishes. Diversions during the non-irrigation season below Long Hollow could be curtailed to provide additional water for native fishes and reduce the need for bypass flows from Long Hollow Reservoir. A!Iy.chan~ made in water mana ement that improve stream flows for native fishe must e permanently protected in some manner. -- ~4~j Board of land Commissioners. Division of Minerals & Geology/Geological Survey Oil & Gas Conservation Commission. Colorado State Parks . Divi~:ln of Forestry Water Conservation Board. Division of Water Resources. Division of Wildlife